Council approves development agreement with National Church Residences after public questions on lake access, easements and amenities

The Upper Arlington City Council on Monday approved a development agreement with National Church Residences (NCR) and Upper Arlington Schools that lays out incentives, payroll and tax commitments, and property transfers to support a phased redevelopment of NCR’s campus, but residents at the meeting pressed the city for additional detail about lake access, easements and neighborhood impacts.

The development agreement — approved by council as Ordinance 28‑2025 on third reading — authorizes city incentives including a parcel‑by‑parcel tax increment financing (TIF) arrangement and a $1,000,000 grant from the city’s economic development fund tied to the first phase’s certificate of occupancy. City Manager Shoney summarized the agreement as "a three‑party agreement between the city, the Upper Arlington schools, as well as National Church Residences," and finance staff described payroll and tax commitments contained in the document.

The nut graf: under the signed agreement, NCR guarantees job and payroll commitments and agrees to a series of property and program commitments while the city and schools agree to a TIF structure and a grant. Residents asked for clarifications about a 15‑foot maintenance easement along the lake, deed restrictions, lake maintenance arrangements, building massing and privacy mitigation; staff and NCR representatives described proposed concessions and next steps on design and maintenance.

Key commitments in the agreement, as described at the meeting: - NCR guarantees retaining about…